Dress Code

A dancer’s attire greatly determines the attitude toward her/his class work. Therefore, we require that the standard of appropriate neatness be observed at all times. The teacher may not allow class participation by a student who regularly neglects this requirement.

We invite you to visit Bellissimo Dance Boutique in Cool Springs (615-674-5484) or Spell’s Dancewear in Nashville (615-292-4387) for all your dancewear needs.

Please read all general and style-specific policies below.

General Policies

Cover-ups

Cover-ups are required. Dancers should remain in cover-ups until they are in the studio.

Underwear

Underwear is allowed in Creative Movement classes only. Both tights and leotards have cotton-lined panels and act as underwear. If a sports bra must be worn under a leotard, it must match the color of the leotard and not be seen.

Boys in Levels 2 and Up are required to wear a Dance Belt.

Jewelry

Stud or small earrings are the only type of jewelry that is permissible in dance class. Watches, necklaces, large rings, and bracelets are potentially hazardous and should not be worn.

Hair

Hair must be securely pulled away from the face for all classes. For Creative Movement and Lyrical Worship classes, ballet buns are preferred, but ponytails are acceptable. For all other ballet classes, ballet buns are required. For Tap, Theatre Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary classes, ponytails or ballet buns are acceptable. If hair is too short to make a bun, please pull hair away from face into a ponytail and secure with clips and hair spray.

Hair FAQ

  • Dancers will need the following supplies with them in their dance bag (for all ages):

    • Brush and comb

    • Nylon hair net

    • Braided elastic band

    • Barrettes/clips

    • Hair pins and bobby pins

    • Hair spray.

    Instructions:

    1. Brush hair smooth. Remove all tangles.

    2. Spray hair lightly with hair spray. Smooth hair with hands and secure wisps, layers or short ends into ponytail and secure with a braided elastic band (do not use rubber bands – they tear hair).

    3. Secure sides and back of hair with clips or barrettes.

    4. Divide ponytail into two sections and twist-or-divide ponytail into three sections and braid.

    5. Wrap each section of twisted or braided hair clockwise around the braided elastic band. Secure with hair pins and bobby pins as you wrap.

    6. Place the net over the bun; twist the net over the bun at least two times. Tuck ends of hair net into the bottom of the bun and secure with hair or bobby pins.

    7. Spray hair and bun with hair spray to set. Smooth with hand or comb.

  • Credible professional dance schools require their students to wear their hair up for class. The correct use and placement of the head and neck are very important in dance for concentration and balance. Hair must be pulled back in this way to allow instructors to see the development, technique and growth of the head, neck and shoulders so that they can give proper corrections.

    Unsecured hair is distracting and can throw a dancer off balance, especially when turning. Bangs and wisps can inhibit the dancer’s line of sight. A uniformed look is desired in class and is essential for neat grooming, confidence and conscientiousness. This also demonstrates the value of being prepared and focuses the student’s expression into their dancing.

2024-25 Dress Code: Detail by Class

To view a class’s dress code, find the style of dance below and click to expand the class.

Ballet

  • Do not sew elastic or ribbons on the shoes before having approval from the instructor about fit and how to sew these on properly.

    Gaps and bagging are signs of an improper fit. Cross the drawstring to pull taut around foot, then tie and tuck into the shoe. No bows or long drawstrings, please!

  • Do not purchase pointe shoes before consulting with your teachers.

    Do not sew ribbons or elastic onto shoes until the faculty confirms the fit and gives further instructions on how to do this properly.

    Dancers should learn to sew their own shoes. This is their responsibility, not their parent’s. If they are ready for pointe, they are ready to sew.

    Follow precisely the recommendations of the faculty as to protective measures for toes. Do not purchase toe pads or adapt “professional” techniques for wrapping, taping or padding the toes. These measures are sometimes more hazardous to the foot than helpful. This is a learning process as the dancer develops and should only be advised and overseen by faculty.

    Experienced dancers should pre-tape their toes prior to technique class to limit the amount of time taken to put on pointe shoes for pointe class.

  • Lower School: White Shirt, Black Athletic Shorts or Leggings, White Socks, Black Ballet Shoes

    Upper School: White Shirt (No Logos), Black Tights, Dance Belt, Black Ballet Shoes

  • Wear Moi “Ardesia Child” in the color Pink

    Bloch Pink Full Sole Leather Ballet shoes

    Bloch Pink Footed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Ardesia Child” in the color Lilac

    Bloch Pink Full Sole Leather Ballet Shoes

    Bloch Pink Footed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Ardesia Child” in the color Pacific

    Bloch Full Sole Leather Ballet Shoes

    Bloch Pink Footed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Ardesia Child” in the color Mint

    Bloch Full Sole Leather Ballet Shoes

    Bloch Pink Footed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Faustine” In the color Burgundy

    Wear Moi “Alegro” skirt in the color Burgundy

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Faustine” in the color Fuchsia

    Wear Moi “Alegro” in the color Fuchsia

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Faustine” in the color French Blue

    Wear Moi “Alegro” in the color French Blue

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Faustine” in the color Navy

    Bullet Pointe Skirt in Navy

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Faustine” in the color Prune

    Bullet Pointe Skirt in the color Prune

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Wear Moi “Faustine” in the color Black

    Bullet Pointe skirt in the color Black

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Any Color Leotard

    Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

  • Your Ballet Leotard

    Capezio #9 Theatrical Pink Back Seamed Tights

    Black Character Skirt

    Black 1.5” Heel Character Shoes

  • Girls:

    Black Leotard, Pink Tights or Solid Colored Leggings, Pink Ballet Shoes

    Optional: Black Skirt

    Boys:

Contemporary

  • Solid Black Leotard Any Style

    Capezio 1916 Black Tights or Solid Black leggings

    Bare feet or Black Fitted Socks at Teacher’s Discretion

  • White Shirt

    Black Athletic Shorts or Solid Black Sweatpants

    Bare feet or Black Fitted Socks at Teacher’s Discretion

Theatre Jazz

  • Solid Black Leotard Any style or Your Ballet Leotard

    Solid Black Dance Pants or Leggings over Tights

    Black Split Sole Slip-on Jazz Shoes

    Note: Theatre Jazz 2 may require Black 1.5” Heel Character Shoes. TBA.

  • Solid Black Leotard Any style or Your Ballet Leotard

    Solid Black Dance Pants or Leggings over Tights

    Black Split Sole Slip-on Jazz Shoes

    Black 1.5” Heel Character Shoes

  • White t-shirt

    Solid Black Athletic Shorts or Solid Black Sweatpants

    Black Split Sole Slip-on Jazz Shoes

  • Girls: Solid Black Leotard or Solid Black Dance Pants or Leggings with Solid Black Shirt

    Boys: SolidBlack T-shirt, Solid Black Athletic Shorts or Solid Black Joggers

    Black Split Sole Slip-on Jazz Shoes

Tap

  • Solid Black Leotard with Black Tights or Black Athletic Clothes

    Shoes:

    Tap 1 &2: Black Lace-up Oxford

    Tap 3: Contact Instructor: gweaver@fscatn.org

  • Black T-shirt with Black Athletic Shorts or Solid Black Joggers

    Shoes:

    Tap 1 &2: Black Lace-up Oxford

    Tap 3: Contact Instructor: gweaver@fscatn.org

  • Black Leotard, Pink Tights, Black Skirt

    Any style Black Tap shoe

  • Black T-shirt with Black Athletic Shorts or Solid Black Joggers

    Black Lace-up Oxford Tap Shoe

Hip-Hop

  • Solid Black Leotard or Solid Black T-Shirt

    Solid Black Pants

    Sneakers in the color of your choice (TO BE WORN IN THE STUDIO ONLY!)

  • Solid Black Leotard or Solid Black T-Shirt

    Solid Black Pants

    Sneakers in the color of your choice (TO BE WORN IN THE STUDIO ONLY!). We recommend a supportive shoe (rather than Converse, Vans, etc.) due to the nature of the class.

  • Solid Black T-Shirt

    Solid Black Pants

    Sneakers in the color of your choice (TO BE WORN IN THE STUDIO ONLY!). We recommend a supportive shoe (rather than Converse, Vans, etc.) due to the nature of the class.

Lyrical Worship

  • Solid Black Shirt, Black Leggings or Dance Pants

    Bare Feet

  • Solid Black Shirt, Black Leggings or Dance Pants

    Bare Feet

Adult Ballet

  • Athletic apparel or dance clothing that is comfortable for dancing in

    Ballet shoes

    Hair pulled back from face

Creative Drama

  • Comfortable Clothes to move in

    Close toed shoes that are only to be worn in studio